The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-14
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Think before you strike" Don't Boycott
except when you can't help it." were injunc-
tions which the Knights Of Labor convention
at Minneapolis listened to, it is said, with
practically unanimous approval They are
certainly good iniunctions and If lived up to
will go long way toward strengthening the
Knights in public opinion. But between
promise and performance there is oftentimes
great gulf, and it is matter of history
that this gulf has never been wider and
deeper than in the case of the Knights
The constitution of the Knights has in it
very much to commend and very little to con-
denim. 1t is pervaded by the same sentiment
that met so general approval at the recent
convention. 1t condemns strikes and boy
colts except in extreme cases when all other
means of settlement have been tried and
failed. Mr.. Powderly and some others of
the leaders at first stood firmly on this con-
stitution and resisted the hot headed men
who got control of many of the Assemblies
and insisted on a more vigorous policy. But
gradually the strength of these men became
so formidable that Mr.. Powderly was pushed
back and forced to make concessions. In
stead of being the last resort for the settle
ment of labor troubles the strike and the
boycott became the first Men were forced
to strike against their employers not because
OF any grievance Of their own, but to assist
men engaged perhaps in an entirely different
trade In dispute which the latter had with
their employers. The constitution of the
order, in short time, was entirely forgotten,
and the assemblies plunged recklessy into
strikes and boycotts, turning business topsy-
turvy and infiicting great losses upon them
selves and upon the general public az well.
There was nothing peculiar or exceptional.
however, about their performances. They
saw many evils in our industrial system, and
naturally enough conceived that the best
way TO get rid of them was the most direct
way, namely, TO tear them up by the roots
They forgot that these roots were so inter
laced with our industrial system that they
could not be suddenly torn up without tear
ing up the whole system with it. All re-
forms conducted by earnest. enthusiastic
men are apt to start in this way. IL takes a
good whlie Tor reformers to learn that the
destruction OF ancient and long existing Gus
toms, no matter how bad they may he nust
necessarily proceed slowly. And because
the Knights did not learn this more readu,,
than reformers who had proc, eded them
is no reproach to them.
They have had time now. however. to
cool off and to see that their past methods
have been productive of much more evil
than good. Want of experience is no longer
present to palliate such course as many of
their assemblies have adopted in the past.
They have refreshed their recollection of
their constitution, and declared with one
voice that it suits them. They have declared
that henceforth the strike and the boycott
are TO be appealed to only as last resorts
Ire public will watch their future proceed
lnss win great interest, feeling that it will
SUN oe determined whether the organiza-
sion - " pe help to the laboring man and a
1iosoins W society in general, or a him
drance to the one and curse N Tho otbar